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Anyone else?

I noticed yesters that one of my 3 crowns (but don't atm remember which) was well through.

So I popped a FREE CO-OP black bukkit over it .....

Once they start they go like trains, I reckon.

Any bets on when I'll get my first 2013 crumble?

If the weather stays mild, the end of January.

With all the warm weather some of mine is getting started too.  Not sure what will happen if the cold sets in again. 

Rhubarb end of Jan will be very nice indeed.   

Mine is still hiding but we're set for another balmy day todau so it won't be long, unless we get a cold snap.

I spotted what I thought were new bulb shoots at the base of a clematis the other day, except I hadn't planted any that close.  Turns out they're clematis shoots which is 3 months ahead of schedule for my garden.  They'll need protection now.

Thanks for  the reminder, went down the plot & 2 of my timperly potted crowns are showing. They are now in the shed with a bucket over them.

Must look at mine.

Have been awoken by howling wind so pottering about. Temperature guage shows outside temp is 13 C - and that was at 2.20am on the North east coast 
It won't last.
5 day forecast showing 0 C for New Years day (night temp)

Debs

Mine's coming through too now.  I have 11 crowns so not enough big buckets to protect them all.   They'll have to make do with a big dollop of compost if I can persuade OH to dig some out for me since I'm waiting for a foot op.

Quotemy timperly potted crowns

I like the idea of having some growing in pots so they can be moved inside for an early crop.

QuoteI have 11 crowns so not enough big buckets to protect them all

You must like a lot of rhubarb.  I thought that it was not recommended that you force rhubarb every year so possibly a good thing you do not have enough buckets.   Wickes builders buckets are £1.28.

This isn't forcing, it's blanching. forcing is when you apply heat to make it grow earlier. Blanchning keps the light off, and produces a tenderer, more delicate-flavoured (supposedly; I like the normal rhubarb) crop. Forcing exhausts the root, but I'm not sure blanching dows much harm.

Whether you apply heat or not, growing rhubarb in the dark causes it to grow just using it's energy reserves, so this is why the plant is weakened as it will have used up more of it's reserves.

My rhubarb was showing a few leaves when I last looked, but they were the type you get when it has not been cold enough yet, so I will be leaving them be so they can get their winter rest.

Ours has started, too, plus all the bits we cut off are starting to show 

Digerroo - we do like rhubrab and I blanch 4 or 5 crowns each year then let them rest the next year.  I give a lot away as I have friends whose soil isn't good for growing rhubarb.   I make chutney to last all year (Emma Jane's recipe) and we like crumble and cobbler too.  Rhubarb cake is fab for gatherings and OH eats it just stewed too.

Hello Obbelix.

Rhubarb chutney sounds good. I tried a search for it, but couldn't find Emma Jane's recipe. Have you got a link or would you be able to post it up again?

Regards

Bluecar

...................  dashes off to have a look at mine ........

Reading this thread prompted me to check me crowns, and the oldest one is emerging new growth!!

The only thing is that it is the one i was hoping to split this year.  (Ive had i 5yrs...and it was probably a few yrs old before that!!)

Does anyone know, would i still be able to split it if it contnues?  Or will i hve to leave it?

Ta